BBC pundit Trevor Sinclair has claimed Newcastle United would ‘give any team in the Premier League a good game’ following their comfortable 2-0 win away at Leeds United.

A brace from Dwight Gayle was enough to seal the three points as Rafa Benitez’s men moved five points clear of second-placed Brighton and nine points clear of third-placed Reading in the Championship table.

Gayle tapped in United’s first goal after a horrendous goalkeeping howler from Leeds shot-stopper Rob Green but United’s second goal was a product of some sublime build-up play.

Read More

Jack Colback picked the ball up in the middle of the park and fired a pass into Vurnon Anita’s feet.

The diminutive Dutchman played a slick one-two with Ayoze Perez before firing a low delivery across the box for Gayle to tuck home with his outstretched leg.

The quality of the goal wasn’t lost on former England international Sinclair, and he was full of praise for United’s play, suggesting it looked like a ‘Premier League team playing against a Championship side.’

While commentating on the game for BBC Radio 5Live, the former West Ham winger, said: “The build-up play and the way Rafa Benitez has got them playing is absolutely superb.

“You talk about levels. Newcastle look like a Premier League team, playing against a Championship side.

“That’s not me digging out Leeds because I think they have looked solid, but I think this Newcastle team could give any team in the Premier League a good game. That’s how well they are playing.”